An Awesome God

Today I began my OWNit365.com challenge of reading the bible in a year. I read two chapters from Genesis and two from Job.

My thoughts...I am reminded of what an awesome God we have looking over us.

First...creation. What a fine artist. A mathematician. A scientist. Our God is so much more of course than any of those, and I think of the minute things we can do and create, and then I look at His creation. The colors, blends, distinct details of animals, sunsets, the seas, seashells, mountains, lush fields, flowers...etc. etc. etc. How can one believe that creation was not by design? Someone had to plan, perfect and choose to not only make it something that takes our breath away...but create us to care and allow it to take our breath away. Then there is the preciseness of everything. Placed exactly where it needs to be placed, and doing exactly what it needs to be doing. And when it isn't doing what it should be....there is still a plan, other things kick in and make sure what needs to happen does and helps to repair it. Absolutely blows my mind when I focus on what our God has done...and He did it for us. And He continues to do.

Which takes me to the readings of Job. Here I was reminded of God's love and protection. One may laugh that I say this when speaking of Job. God allowed Satan to destroy so much of Job's things. However...I know God knew Job's heart. What stands out to me in all of Job...it's God's permission. I know He looks at each of our lives and nothing will happen to us that He won't permit. If you know of God's love, His perfect will, His understanding, His vision...then that is completely ok. If he permits it, then you who know and love Him can be assured in that. When sitting in this dark world full of evil that is a chair of faith we can sit back and  rest in. A bad day, or week certainly doesn't look as bad anymore. There is a reason, He has allowed it, and He will bring me through it. I will probably learn, grow in faith, and in the end see the significance of it. Or possibly not. Job may have never known the why...he just chose to trust. What a lesson for all of us. If only we can live knowing our time here is not even a sentence in our life story....it is a fleeting second. All that we own, all that we have....it isn't ours. And if we live as if it isn't...live just trusting and believing, we will know success and happiness. Not by the things we acquire here.

" 'I came naked from my mother's womb and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord! ' In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God." Job 1:21

May my words be salt and light to you.

Disciple/Discipline

As I was writing about my goals for this year and using the word discipline...the word disciple continued to stand out to me within that word. To be a disciple of Christ, I must also be disciplined. My haphazard ways can only lead to things that lead me astray. And it doesn't have to mean into a world of  dark sin, or temptations that I can not handle...it could just mean idleness, waste, mindless activity which keeps me from pursuing those things that I need to do and should do.

I have found that to be Satan's greatest tool when dealing with me. He just needs to keep my mind busy on other things. Even tonight, I knew it was January 1 and for me to keep my goal, I need to spend some time writing. And I found myself easily falling into other activity as the hours passed by. I have so many things that call my attention. A laptop. A phone. A Nook. A television. Those do not have to be tools of the devil...I would not suggest I must give them up or put them away for all time. What I need to do is to be careful, on guard of time and what I am using them for. As with all things, I need the balance.

I have these 365 ...or is it 366 days ahead of me?...and if I am careful with my time, I can discipline myself to be a disciple of Christ and grow, learn and share Christ with others, as a disciple should.

"Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me." John 12:26

And that is how I intend to check myself...would Jesus be where I am, would he spend his time as I am? Am I serving Christ when I engage in this activity? 

I am looking forward to growth in 2012. How about you?

May my words be salt and light to you.

Discipline in 2012

I am not always one for making resolutions on New Year's Eve, but sometimes setting goals helps me to focus. So, I figure if I put it into writing here, I can always come back and remind myself of what I set out to do in the year 2012.

"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." -1 Cor. 16:13

I am feeling very strong about the need to stand on guard in this world today. And standing on guard requires discipline. And that is my goal....resolution....for 2012. To be more disciplined.

I am a haphazard kind of girl. I go in and out of modes of interests and focused activity. I believe without that focus and routine in some areas, I am allowing my guard to come down. So, in 2012, I will attempt to take the unorganized, unroutine, undisciplined me and try to create some habits that will focus me. There are a few areas in particular I plan to work on.

1. Scripture Reading: I really wanted to read through the whole bible this year. I began it, but didn't stick to it. So this year to help, I found an accountability partner and a website to help me focus on it. To be on guard and firm in the faith I need the word in my heart and soul, every day. I do like to pick up the bible and read random scripture (that is a part of my haphazard self), but I feel I need more focused study.

2. Money and budgeting: Tough one! But as my paycheck continues to move in the wrong direction with health insurance and paying retirement, I really need to be more focused and budgeted. I love flying out to Nebraska to see my grandchildren. I want to give 6 grandchildren a fun Christmas next year. I will never give up my tithes. I enjoy easy-relaxing-I-don't-have-to-cook-dinners on the weekends with my honey. And now I have a Nook I want to get books for. I am not real bad with impulse buying, but I have to be careful. So, I want to begin a budget this year. Sets limits and set aside for those things I care most about. Disciplined money spending. Using that which he has blessed me with in a purposed and mindful way.

3. My writing: I love it, enjoy it, want to do it....and then I go months without a word. I am not sure how that happens to me. I think I just allow silly, mundane, brainless activity to suck up my time, like facebook games (lack of discipline and routine). So I also need to set up a plan and routine for my writing. Devoting daily time to write. I know some of my writing has helped me to grow spiritually. I do feel God has blessed me with the desire to write, and I feel He wants me to exercise it.

So...as I say goodbye to 2011 and think about the things I have learned and experienced, I look forward to using that to make 2012 even better. Learning and growing is fascinating. Applying it even better. I publicly thank my heavenly Father for walking me through this year, carrying me through pain and sorrow, leading me through twists and turns, guiding me down His paths, and blessing me with amazing love, mercy and grace. May you continue to shape me and make me into the person you purposed and doing your work while I am here and on this earth. I love you my Lord!